Our Professional Billings Plumbers Specialize in Quick Boiler Repair and Installation
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We all know how useful our boilers can be, especially during the winter. We are aware that it’s part of our home and keeps us warm, but what does it really do?
Boilers are pressure vessels that act as a heat transfer surface between combustion products and water. It is designed to make water hot, to produce steam or to provide space heating.
What do boilers do? Well, these are used to produce steam, add energy to a supply of feedwater, and release energy from the processed waste heat. Gas and oil boilers operate by controlled combustion, which makes the water hot. Some important parts of a boiler are the combustion chamber, the heat exchanger and the burner itself.
Oxygen and fuel are mixed together with the help of an ignition device, allowing combustion. This happens in the chamber, and the heat from it transfers through the water in the heat exchanger. Heated water is produced, then travels through pipes, and delivered throughout the area of the building or residence.
2 Types of Boilers
Firetube Boiler – Hot gases of combustion pass through the tubes surrounded by water. The combustion gases flow through the tubes in the boiler, then heat is transferred to the tubes and outer shell. This type of boiler is commonly available for hot water applications or low pressure steam, and used for comfort heating applications.
Watertube Boiler – Water flows going in the tube while the exhaust gases stay in the shell side. This type of boiler is capable of generating superheated steam and often used to produce dry or high pressure steam, like the ones used to generate turbine power. This is recommended for use in industrial businesses like chemical manufacturing, refining, and paper manufacturing.
Our Licensed Billings Plumber Shares Common Boiler Problems
Don’t you hate it when something breaks down when you need it most? Yeah, for some reason, our boilers stop working during the cold winter months. Some issues can be fixed without calling in the experts (which is a good thing!) but for safety reasons, a majority of these problems should be left to the professionals. We have a team of trained plumbers that provide quality service. Here are the most common boiler issues they have encountered:
Your boiler does not have hot water – Your airlock may be broken, your motorized valves may not be working, or your water level is low. If you have a faulty airlock valve, be sure to replace it immediately.
Your pilot light turns on and off – There may be something wrong with your thermocouple (it may be stopping gas supply) or you may have seals that are damaged. A deposit build up can also cause it to malfunction. Check if you still have some problems with your gas supply before reigniting your pilot light.
Your radiator is not heating – If your unit is hot at the bottom and cold on the upper part, there may be deposits or build up of rust in your pipes. Hot water may not also circulate properly due to an issue with your pump.
Your boiler turns off – Low water pressure, frozen pipes, faulty pumps, thermostat problems, or air in your system can cause this issue.
Your boiler is banging, gurgling, rumbling or whistling – The noise is usually caused by the build up of limescale in your heat exchanger, commonly known as “kettling“. This is common in areas with hard water. Your boiler costs more to function, because it works harder. This also shortens the life of your unit. Call us to we can flush out your system and remove any deposits or build up.
Your thermostat is not working correctly – You may have a faulty thermostat due to deterioration over use and time. Have it checked by one of our contractors to get it replaced or repaired.
You have a leak – You may have a loose connection or broken parts. It may be the pressure valve or the pump seal. If you notice the leak dripping from the valve, your pressure may be quite high. If the seal is leaking, then you may need to replace it. If the leak is coming from the tank or the pipes, corrosion may be the culprit. Call us so we can check the problem.
Your boiler is losing pressure – You may have a bleeding radiator, a leak, or a problem with your expansion vessel. You might also need to buy a new pressure relief valve. Check the pressure gauge, and if it is below 1, you may have a problem.
You have a frozen condensate pipe -Check underneath your boiler and you will notice pipes that are going in and out. The white plastic pipe is usually the condensate pipe and it should lead to a drainage. If this has frozen, your unit usually gives a warning notification.
Boiler Safety Measures from Our Expert Team of Billings Contractors
Boilers explode because of the accumulation of combustible gas that is ignited. Make certain that you operate this properly and correctly to avoid disasters and injury.
Call us to schedule a service and to learn about our preventative maintenance plan. Your boiler’s fuel and burner system should be maintained and checked to ensure that it functions efficiently. We will check your safety relief valves, water cutoff devices, gauges and water level indicators. We will also inspect your fuel and burner system.
We have a network of experienced technicians who are well trained to fix, replace, and maintain your boilers. We know that your property and life are both at stake, that is why we make sure that we deliver our work efficiently and correctly.
Plumbers 911 Montana provides service to all Billings, MT residents and business owners, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. With our group of educated, insured and educated plumbers, you know you are in good hands. Our customer contact center can take your call anytime, and we can dispatch a tech to your place usually within the hour. Schedule your safety inspection today!
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